Twitter Reactions: Jaffna Kings win record-extending fourth title, make light work of Galle Marvels in final

Kusal Mendis and Rilee Rossouw. (Source – Sri Lanka Cricket)

Jaffna Kings got the better of Galle Marvels in a one-sided Lanka Premier League (LPL 2024) final at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, on Sunday, July 21. Jaffna emerged victorious by nine wickets to win a record-extending fourth title.

Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, Jaffna got off to a fantastic start as they took three wickets inside the first seven overs and conceded just 24 runs. However, Tim Seifert and Bhanuka Rajapaksa joined forces to muster an epic turnaround. The New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter hit a hat-trick of sixes in the 12th over off Vijayakanth Viyaskanth but fell off the first ball of the 13th.

However, Rajapaksa took it upon himself to take his team to a fighting total. The southpaw hit 28 runs off Charith Asalanka in the 16th over as the momentum was firmly on Galle’s side. Bhanuka eventually departed after being castled off the last ball of the 19th over for a blistering 82 off 34 balls. He hit eight fours and six sixes during his blazing knock.

Eventually, the Marvels got to 184/6 in their 20 overs, amassing 160 off the final 13. Jason Behrendorff did the damage with the new ball, as he picked up two wickets for 18 runs. Meanwhile, Asitha Fernando also bowled well, especially at the backend and finished with figures of 3/35.

Rilee Rossouw’s breathtaking ton, Kusal Mendis’ excellent fifty take Jaffna Kings to victory

Dwaine Pretorius got the Marvels off to a perfect start in the LPL 2024 Final as he dismissed the in-form Pathum Nissanka off the first delivery. However, that was Galle’s only memorable moment from the second innings as Kusal Mendis and Rilee Rossouw put on a sizzling batting display to enthral the fans in Colombo.

They stitched an awe-inspiring 185-run partnership off just 93 balls to take their team home with nine wickets and 26 balls to spare. Rossouw finished unbeaten on 106 off just 53 balls, belting nine fours and seven sixes. Meanwhile, Mendis smashed 72 not out off just 40 balls, hitting eight fours and two maximums.

Here’s how ‘X’ users reacted to the LPL 2024 final: